TNT falls short to Seoul SK Knights, crashes out of EASL Champions Week

TNT Tropang Giga vs Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League. –EASL PHOTO

UTSUNOMIYA —TNT Tropang Giga fell to Korean champions Seoul SK Knights, 80-69, in the East Asia Super League Champions Week at Nikkan Arena here.

After starting out hot and holding fort in the first three quarters, the Tropang Giga’s offense conked out when it mattered the most in the loss that officially snuffed out the club’s chances in the five-day showpiece.

Calvin Oftana had 16 points, while import Jalen Hudson added 14 for TNT. Mikey Williams chipped in 13 points as other reinforcement Daniel Ochefu finally played an assertive game with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

However, TNT’s balanced outing was nowhere to be found in the opening minutes of the final frame, where the Korean Basketball League champions turned in an 11-0 run to wrest control of the contest.

Jameel Warney and Kim Sun-hyung were big once again, scoring 21 points each as the SK Knights zoomed to a 2-0 mark to lead Group B. Leon Williams added 20 points.

TNT concluded the tournament with a 0-2 card after suffering a 99-66 rout at the hands of B.League club Utsunomiya Brex in the opener.

The Philippines is still in play with the other PBA representative San Miguel Beer. However, the vaunted club’s already tough path has become even steeper with June Mar Fajardo (left knee) out for the remainder of the event.

The Beermen play another Korean club in Anyang KGC this Saturday at Okinawa Arena.